Keeping Her: The HEA Collection
Page 7
“Okay, all finished. You ready to go to your mom’s house, little man?”
Hunter spent the night last night and hung out all day. But at just over three years of age, I’m sure he misses his other bed, even though my house is as familiar to him as his own.
It’s a scramble for Hunter’s short little legs to scuttle off the sofa, but soon a tow-head stands in front of me. My own eyes look back at me, though his nose has a light dusting of freckles that I definitely don’t remember at that age.
“I’m ready. I got my train and Mr. Bear.”
I drop to one knee.
“Hunter, please don’t go.” Jared, my own son, wails, where he’s scrambled to be next to him. He’s not quite three yet.
Hunter turns to him, and wraps his tiny arms around him. “Shh, little man. You can come visit tomorrow. Wanna come for lunch? My mom can make macaronied cheese. Or maybe girl cheese.”
Jared looks up with large eyes that are totally Rachel’s. “Do we eat girls?”
“Not yet,” I laugh. “It’s grilled cheese. Melted cheese,” I try to explain, but they’ve already lost interest.
And then my love, the light of my life, comes from our bedroom, where she’d been soaking in a lavender scented bath. Our oldest child, Marie, is babbling in her bedroom to her dolls.
“Jared, why don’t I read you a story while daddy takes your cousin home? Aunty Molly and Uncle Jeff miss Hunter.”
Hunter plasters a kiss onto Jared’s head, but Jared won’t let him leave until he can reciprocate. We all pretend not to notice when Hunter wipes the wet spot left behind.
“See ya, Hunter. I gotta protect my mom ‘til my daddy comes back.” Jared’s voice still has a bit of baby-talk to it.
“I know,” Hunter says, nodding his head.
He steps into the puffy winter suit I’m holding down at his feet, and I zip the one piece up to his neck. Ever since Rachel was caught out in winter without a coat, the baby boys have worn this torture device. I don’t mind. It’s a short ride to Molly and Jeff’s, and I can do without the heater in the truck for five minutes so he doesn’t broil.
“Bye, sweetie,” Rachel says, kissing Hunter’s forehead. The only spot that’s exposed.
“Bye, Aunt Rach.”
And then my beautiful wife turns to me. “Take your time,” she says meaningfully. “I’ll get this story read and then Marie is going to bed.”
Her eyes gleam. Jared falls asleep midway through the story and he’ll be down for the count. So I know exactly what she means.
“Wait up for me.” I nuzzle her neck as she giggles.
“Eww,” Hunter says to Jared. “We don’t like girls, Uncle Nick. Only mommies and aunties.”
“Well, that’ll change, little man.” I hoist him up over my shoulder, a puffy sumo wrestler whose limbs stretch out at unmoveable angles. He squeals.
One last kiss from my wife and a brush of her hand across my groin gives me a promise for later.
“I’m glad I kept you,” I whisper.
“Me, too,” she agrees, and kisses me again. “Hurry home, big man.”
Keeping Her
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Keeping Her Copyright December 2018 Rena Marks
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About the Author
Join my fantasies!
Get lost in worlds that twist and turn with plot and give you a feel-good, happy ending. Grow lovestruck by the heroes, each one unique. Find them perfectly matched by their heroine, strong women like you and I who know exactly what they want and how they want it, searing, sexy, and passionate.
Remember, true love is out there--beyond the mundane. Life is magical, come read about my mine!
Also by Rena Marks
Genetically Altered Humans Series: Xeno Sapiens, Earth-Ground, Siren, Beast’s Beauty, Almost Human
Alien Stolen
Born Again
Magic Gems
Wanton Sins Series: Demonic Passions, Demonic Pleasures, Demonic Power
Shared By Wolves
Enticing Fate
SuperNatural Sharing Series: Forgotten Kisses, Remembered Kisses, Whispered Kisses
Kiss Me Before I Die
Stargazer Series: The Hunter, The Enforcer, The Defender, The Protector, The Guardian, The Destroyer
Blue Barbarian Series: Abducted, Stranded, Taken, Captive, Stolen, Betrayed
The AI Series: Artificial Intelligence, Serepto’s Story
Purple People Series: Space Babies, Baby Soldiers In Space, Baby Butterfly Kisses, Titi
Chasing Violet—written with C.L. Scholey